Media Type: Textbook with PDA download

Synopsis: The 3 ^rd edition of the comprehensive and concise Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Illustrated Manual of Ophthalmology is now in print. This 664-page book covers most topics in just the right amount of detail, accompanied by clinical photographs, imaging studies, and illustrations that demonstrate the point. The manual comes with software that can be loaded on either a Windows or Mac operating system to be used on a hand-held device for easy access in the clinic or hospital. Since the original manual was published in 1998, the book has grown in size by about 30% and contains much updated information and many more images than before. It is a handy guide for residents but is also a good reference source for the practicing ophthalmologist.

Target Audience: Residents and comprehensive ophthalmologists; all ophthalmologists

Review: The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Illustrated Manual of Ophthalmology has been one of the classic references for ophthalmologists since its first publication nearly a decade ago. The 2009 version is an excellent update and well worth owning, even for those who have an earlier version of the text. The 3 ^rd edition offers many advantages over the older versions. It is longer and contains updated subject matter, such as coverage of refractive surgery complications, the most up-to-date ophthalmic medications and toxicology; and updated genetic information. It also covers a myriad of new diagnoses.

The book’s most outstanding feature is its collection of images. The clinical photographs are of excellent quality and are also well-marked with arrows pointing out the salient features and captions that describe the significant findings. All clinical images have been updated into full color photographs and over 200 of them are entirely new since the last edition. There are also excellent explanatory diagrams, sample visual field and ocular coherence tomography results, and many neuro-imaging studies.

For any given diagnosis, the manual describes the symptoms and findings, shows photographs and typical diagnostic test results, describes genetic and systemic associations, and recommends work-up. It also includes recommendations from or summaries of major ophthalmic studies such as ETDRS, COMS, ETROP, AREDS, and EVS. In addition, it discusses the most recent anti-VEGF treatments for AMD.

The appendix contains a guide to the ophthalmic examination with updates on OCT, IOL calculation, and ultrasonography. There is also a list of commonly used ophthalmic medications and their dosing at the end.

The book is heavy enough that one might not want to carry it as an on-the-go reference, but the “mobile” edition now allows one to upload the book to a PDA for easy access any time. The software can be installed on a Blackberry, an iPhone, or a Palm 3.5, among other hand-held devices.

In summary, this is an exceptionally comprehensive and well-put together book. The handy mobile package makes it ideal for use in an inpatient setting or for those who are on the go. It will be relevant for some time to come and is well worth owning, an excellent basic reference for any ophthalmologist.